V86®: Jeppe Juel and Fortnite chasing revenge
He was locked in when he raced in Sylvesterloppet and he made a break last time out.
When Solvalla and Åby co-host V86® on Wednesday, Fortnite chases revenge.
"I have a very good horse and I think his chances of winning are very good" says Jeppe Juel.
Jeppe Juel has aimed high with Fortnite and has raced him in many tough races in Sweden. Thing have not gone exactly the way the Danish trainer had hoped and Fortnite has not gotten the desired results.
"It was very frustrating going home from both Axevalla and Solvalla" says Jeppe Juel.
Fortnite raced in the rich Sylvesterloppet on New Year's Eve, but had no luck and was locked in without being used.
"We would have gotten a good check, if we had gotten out in time. My horse felt great and we lost out on a lot of money there".
To give Fortnite a rest was no option and Juel took aim at Solvalla and a V75 start where he put Björn Goop down to drive.
"Unfortunately, Fortnite interfered and made a break. I think both the horse and the driver were a bit too geared up. Sometimes things just go wrong and you just have to deal with it and come back stronger. My horse has felt very good both before and after that start and he is still in top form".
“I think he has a good chance to win”
On Wednesday, Jeppe Juel makes the trip to Göteborg to race in a V86 race at Åby and he wants revenge.
"Yes, it has to be his turn now. The race looks good for him and he doesn't mind the long distance. I think it looks good on paper and I think he has a good chance to win".
Fortnite is one of the best horses in the Juel stable and Jeppe has high expectations on his horse this year.
"For me he's a Saturday horse and he has a lot of money to make if he just stays healthy. We will see what happens after the Wednesday start. It's a long season and I want a horse that lasts. I count on making more trips to Sweden this year".
Lastly, how are things with the the star of the stable Garfield who dominated the stakes in Denmark at age three and four?
"He finished second in the Danish derby and it was a disappointment, he was dominant leading up to that but unfortunately he was not at his best that day. He is training and will be back. I have great expectations on him and I am in no rush with this horse. My dream is to race him in Prix d'Amerique. It might sound a bit cocky, but if you stop dreaming and hoping, you shouldn't train horses".